PRM with Their Members Ben&Ben, Jim Paredes, and Sony Music Sat Down for LMP25 Music Talk Series

(Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino 2025 Team with Music Distribution and Licensing Panelists. Photo Courtesy of Gab Cabangon and OPM)

Linggo ng Musikong Pilipino (LMP) is a government-mandated celebration of Filipino music. This week-long celebration started in 2014, coming into fruition due to Proclamation No. 933 by former president Benigno Aquino III. This year, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM), a collective of professional singers in the Philippines that aims to champion the rights of Filipino singers, spearheaded the activities, with Philippines Recorded Music Rights (PRM) as a promotional partner. To celebrate the festivities, there were various shows that showcased the beauty and diversity of Filipino music through the performances of OPM members. A highlight of this year’s LMP is the extended duration, making it almost a month-long celebration starting on July 4 and ending on August 1.  

One of the flagship events of LMP25 is the music talk series that happened last July 26 at Greenhills Cinema 1---a talk that aims to inspire and also to provide guidance to aspiring songwriters and artists. This serves as a roadmap on a journey of a song as it will walk you through its creation, to how it can be released to the public, until how earn a living through these works of art. The talk was hosted by budding singer-songwriter Dione and moderated by the multi-awarded singer-songwriter and producer Trina Belamide. The discussion was divided into three separate sections. First is songwriting, followed by music production from the label’s perspective, and lastly, licensing. 

(L-R: Tiara Shaye, Miguel Benjamin Guico, Paolo Benjamin Guico, and Jim Paredes)

Spearheading the songwriting portion are Paolo and Miguel Benjamin, frontmen and vocalists of hitmaker Ben&Ben, Tiara Shaye, PhilPop x Himig Handog 2025 winning composer of “Wag Paglaruan,” and Jim Paredes of the famed APO Hiking Society. The four singer-songwriters have produced notable compositions and, likewise, shared their secrets to budding songwriters who wish to do well in their careers and the music industry. For instance, in the Q&A, Jim Paredes alleviates the worries of singer-songwriters who do not play an instrument amidst the process of composing songs; Michael Jackson, for one, he mentioned. Miguel and Paolo shared that Arthur Nery too, an R&B sensation, does not use instruments while writing his songs. Likewise, Tiara Shaye charmed the audience with her humor and wit and also shared a tip to overcome writer’s block: working alongside other songwriters. 

(Raymond Fabul, Sony A&R and Artist Management Director, and Jeli Mateo, Flip Music CEO)

To represent the labels, Raymond Fabul, Sony’s A&R and Artist Management Director, and Jeli Mateo, Flip Music’s CEO, attended the talk. The two spoke of the benefits of signing up with a label. Beyond the prestige a label membership provides, the services they can offer to artists range from singular activities to the full 360 of music production and promotions, as well as the holistic development of an artist. While this portion spurred a lot of questions from the audience, the two ultimately highlighted the importance of showing one’s uniqueness and authenticity in label applications.  

Perhaps the most technical aspect of the talk is music licensing and distribution. The panel was composed of Believe PH’s Head of Label and Artist Solutions Mony Romana, FILSCAP’s Licensing Manager Mich Maskariño, ABS-CBN's Music Publishing Head Atty. Marivic Benedicto, and PRM’s Acting GM and Head of Licensing, Francis Buen. Host Trina Belamide presented a diagram summarizing the licensing and distribution process vis-a-vis the copyright involved (i.e., composition vs original sound recording (OSR)), as well as the governing bodies leading each specific stage. Then on, the panel touched on digital recordings, profit opportunities, and the general legal must-knows as artists treat music not just as outlets of creative expression, but also as a business.

(L-R: Mony Romana, Believe PH’s Head of Label and Artist Solutions; Mich Maskariño, FILSCAP’s Licensing Manager; Francis Buen, PRM’s Acting GM and Head of Licensing; Atty. Marivic Benedicto, ABS-CBN's Music Publishing Head; and Trina Belamide, Host)

Francis Buen highlighted the importance of signing with collective management organizations (CMOs) in ensuring that artists’ rights are protected, presenting PRM as their “soldiers on ground.” Beyond the legal incentives of being part of such, he reminded the audience that they and their work deserve rightful credit, whether that be recognition or royalties. Atty. Benedicto, also PRM’s partner as Star Music’s Head of Music Publishing, then stressed upon the importance of documentation, whether it be the percentage of songwriting credits or the copyright protection through IPOPHL. According to her, it is imperative to have a record to prove your ownership of your musical works as it will serve as your safeguard once it is time to collect the remuneration for your work.   

(L-R: Ashley Benitez, Francis Buen, Gary Valenciano, Jim Paredes, Candice Lima-Del Rosario, and Aaron Calderon)

It is also worth noting that the PRM team was able to connect with two OPM legends Gary Valenciano and Jim Paredes during the event. Upon briefly introducing the company’s goals, both artists expressed great interest in PRM’s advocacy for performers like themselves. Gary Valenciano, one of the most well-lauded Filipino singers with over 4 decades of industry experience, suggested one avenue to strengthen PRM’s network: a meeting with Manila Genesis, his management. 

To all aspiring and talented artists out there, always stay true to yourself and remember the passion (and reason) that has kickstarted your art. Create persistently when inspiration strikes, yet go easy on yourself in most crucial times, as well. A lot of resources are available for you and your career should you feel you need an extra boost. 

Congratulations to OPM for a successful Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino 2025! Mabuhay ang Musikang Pilipino! 

PRM Team with OPM Director Gab Cabangon

For more information on how you can earn royalties from your music, visit prm.com.ph or email info@prm.com.ph.